Pat Cummins calls for radical changes to third umpire after Australia were denied two wickets

Pat Cummins says there has to be a better way for the third umpire to judge catches after Richard Kettleborough was forced to make three contentious decisions during the third Test.

The referees for the match submitted reviews for three sacks taken close to the ground on the slips at the SCG.

On each occasion, the Kettleborough third umpire found evidence that the ball had touched the ground before the fielder could control it.

Pat Cummins (left) has called for changes to the way the third referee operates

Consequently, none of the catches were paid.

Cummins’ teammates Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Hazlewood previously suggested that the first step in changing the way such catches were officiated would be to remove the soft signal from the referee on the field, given that the third referee overruled it on two of all three occasions.

“I don’t really know the answers, but there has to be a way to try to improve it somehow,” Cummins said after the Test against South Africa ended in a draw.

‘As it stands now, it’s really hard to hit. If there’s any kind of benefit of the doubt, go the way of the batter.

Steve Smith (centre) appeared to have caught Heinrich Klaasen on day 5 of the Test against South Africa, but was not ruled out by the third referee.

“I think with a couple of really slowed down camera angles, it’s pretty hard not to find doubt somewhere. sorry for ketts [Kettleborough] a little up there.

When making a decision, the third referee only has access to footage from the host broadcaster, Fox Sports, and not to Seven Network cameras.

“Maybe there are more cameras that we can use later,” Cummins said.

Proteas captain Dean Elgar was visibly frustrated when his side was on the receiving end of the first non-reception call, but said he was pleased the referees remained consistent throughout the match.

Smith (below) was denied a seemingly perfect catch as he appeared to have knocked out Dean Elgar on day four only for the TV referee to rule the ball had touched the grass.

Simon Harmer (below) appeared to have thrown out Marnus Labuschagne on day two, only for the third umpire to not give the batsman out.

‘The way the referees ran all three was pretty good. I think it was brilliant,’ he said.

‘Once you’ve set the bar with the first one, you can’t really move much from there.

‘Those things are always going to be a gray area, some will say no, some will say no.

“At the end of the day, his decision is final and as players we respect that.”